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Youth Entrepreneurial Committee

About us

The Youth Entrepreneurial Committee is made up of representatives that have a passion for working with entrepreneurs in and around the Tri-Cities, and Chamber members who have experience with business mentorship.

Committee Chairperson

Rick Pasin,  Director
Surrey Campus
Sprott-Shaw Community College

2nd Vice-Chair, Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce

Committee Members

Bill Beatty, Project Director,  Business & Economic Development Division
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

Tim Blake, CAVE Coordinator/Community Liaison
The Training Group at Douglas College

Ines Montoya, Employment Outreach Counsellor-Facilitator
Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia

Cheryl Quinton, Communications Manager
School District #43

Sam Thiara, Manager (SE&R)
Simon Fraser University

Gemma Wilson, Director
Vancouver Career College

John Wolff, Financial Consultant
The Investors Group

Chamber Membership for Youth

Youth can join Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce with special pricing of $60 (plus taxes) per year. Youth must be 25 younger, or have proof of enrollment in a certified BC post-secondary education institution). The Chamber has put together a program where students and youth can earn credits towards their next year’s membership by volunteering.

Join the Chamber now!

New Sliding Scale Credit Program for Youth Members

Youth who volunteer for a major event can earn credits towards a partial refund of their membership.

  • The maximum rate of refund (based on the sliding scale) will be $30
  • The maximum number of credits awarded will be 30 (1 credit = $1)
  • Youth who volunteer for a major event (Gala, Golf Tournament etc.) at the chamber will be afforded the chance to earn a full 30 credits.
  • Youth who volunteer to work at smaller chamber events will be afforded the chance to earn 15 credits
  • Credits are awarded to students or youth only after their work is verified by the chair of the committee
  • Students or youth attending chamber events will earn five credits per event

*Make sure you notify Chamber staff when you are volunteering or attending events so you can receive credits.

Mentorship Program

Interested in being a business mentor for students and youth in the Tri-Cities? Are you a youth or student who would like to be connected with a local business mentor?

The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the launch of the Business Mentorship Program in January 2011. This program is focused on developing the next generation of leaders in our local communities.

Mentees
The program focuses on mentorship, business management & leadership skills, volunteerism and networking. Selected participants will enjoy access to business seminars, afforded the opportunity to meet community leaders, and given important insights into the inner workings of successful enterprises.

Entrepreneurial youth wanting to start their own businesses will receive feedback on their business concept/plan.

Mentees will be challenged to think critically about real local issues affecting businesses operating in different sectors of the economy.

If you are interested in taking part in our program (January thru April 2012) please fill out the application form by January 13, 2012 at 5:00 PM.

Mentors
If you are a current member of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and are interested in becoming a business mentor for our Tri-Cities youth please CLICK HERE.

Upcoming Events of Interest to Youth & Students

We highlighted some events that youth & student will find interesting. If you have any suggestions for upcoming events we can advertise, please submit the event through the Chamber website.

Links for Youth Entrepreneurs

The Chamber has an exhaustive list of resource available under the Business Resources link.

Community Futures BC
A network of 90 Community Futures Development Corporations across Western Canada providing business financing and business training to rural entreprenurs.
http://www.communityfutures.ca

Coquitlam Continuing Education (School District #43 )
Coquitlam CE provided a wide variety of educational programs to students of all ages in the tri-cities area – including tuition-free high school credit courses for most BC residents!
http://www.sd43.bc.ca/ce

Douglas College: Self Employment Program
The Self Employment Program offers practical training, business advice and group support to help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to start and operate a successful business. Income support is also available to those who qualify.
http://selfemployment.douglas.bc.ca/training-community-education.html

School District #43
Approximately 30,000 students attend schools in our district in 67 schools. Each school possesses it own personality and qualities that make each a unique representation of its students, staff, and community.
http://www.sd43.bc.ca

Simon Fraser University: Business
Part of Simon Fraser University, SFU Business is a business school that offers undergraduate BBA program, MBA programs in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
http://business.sfu.ca/news

Sprott-Shaw Community College & Sprott-Shaw Degree College
Offers occupational training in the areas of business, hospitality, travel and tourism, health care and computers at its twenty campuses.
http://sprottshaw.com/studentservices/news

Students In Free Enterprise (SFU)
Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) is a global student organization that encourages students to develop social entrepreneurial projects and gain entrepreneurial skills.

SIFE Simon Fraser is open to students at SFU in all faculties and all 3 campuses. SIFE acknowledges that there are no boundaries for students who want to be more entrepreneurial, want to meet people and to share their passions while making a difference in the community!
http://www.sifesimonfraser.com/

University Canada West
University Canada West is a Canadian University which offers online courses towards bachelors degree and masters degree programs.
http://www.ucan.ca/News

Vancouver Career College
VCCollege provides quality, higher education opportunities at affordable rates at various college campuses across BC. Programs in areas such as business, health care, trades, education, hospitality and legal give prospective students progressive and accomplished alternatives in higher education.
http://www.vccollege.ca/News